CONWAY, Ark. – The Central Arkansas men's soccer team has added a boatload of talent, signing a number of skilled recruits to join the Bears. With a blend of transfers and high school signees, the team looks to maintain the success it has enjoyed under head coach Frank Kohlenstein.
 
Abram de Armas joins the team after a successful stint at Prestonwood Christian Academy in Carrollton, Texas. There, the midfielder lettered in multiple sports, including soccer, football and tennis, and was a four-time all-district and a one-time all-state performer, helping his team to the Texas State Playoffs.

 
Jackson Dutton signed for the Bears out of Timber Creek High School. The 6-4 left back also played club soccer for the Solar Soccer Club, and led his team to a Copa Rayados Championship.

 
Antoine Grillo brings another big body to the back line, standing at 6-3. Coming to America from Marseille, France, Grillo has played at Mid-America Christian University for the past two seasons, making six appearances and playing 65 minutes. While at MACU, he was a part of a team that won back-to-back conference championships, reaching the NAIA National Final Eight last season.

 
The next signee is Zachary Harpel, another 6-4 player that brings size to the midfield. Playing last season at Frostburg State University, Harpel started 16 games for the Bobcats, scoring two goals and adding two assists from the midfield.

 
Caiden Harris continues the trend of adding height to the Bears roster, a 6-2 center back out of Saint Louis, Mo. While playing high school soccer at St. Louis University High, Harris also played soccer overseas, playing for Talentprojekt youth teams in Germany.

 
A speedster that terrorizes opponents from the left wing, Tajio James lit up the scoreboards at Feather River College, tallying 70 points as a sophomore with 28 goals and 14 assists in 20 matches. For his efforts, he was named an All-American second team winger, garnering MVP honors and a Scholar All-American nod. James helped his team to back-to-back conference titles, and had a streak of four hat tricks in five games in the month of October.

 
Owen Kalisher signed on the dotted line after a successful career at Boulder High School in Boulder, Colo. The 6-3 keeper was named a First Team All-Conference goalkeeper and garnered an all-state honorable mention. Kalisher played his club soccer for FC Boulder and Boulder County United.

 
Jaxon Kendall is the second goalkeeper signed in this class, coming out of Owasso, Okla. A Junior MVP and Hmong New Year MVP, Kendall led his club team to a US Club Soccer National Championship and an EA National Cup Qualification.

 
Dylan Munoz joins the Bears out of North Richland Hills, Texas, playing for Birdville High School and played his club soccer at Solar MLS Next. Munoz helped his team to a 2022 GA Cup Quarterfinal match.

 
Luke Nantz joins the attack out of Tulsa, Okla. Playing at Broken Arrow High School, he helped his team win a 6A Oklahoma State Championship and a National Championship.

 
Nantz's brother Wyatt also signed to play for the Bears, joining his brother in a deadly one-two punch atop the formation. The duo played their club soccer for Blitz United.

 
Devonte Richards chose the Purple and Gray after a successful stint at Feather River College. The other high-scoring forward for the Golden Eagles, Richards tallied a massive 22 goals and eight assists, scoring 53 points as a sophomore. He was named the Golden Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year and a California JUCO North All-Region player.

 
Jacob Simmons signed with the Bears out of Quebec, Canada, playing for Ottowa South United. He also was a part of a Griffons do Cegep do L'Outaouais team that claimed a Division 2 championship.

 
Kevin Ventura joined Central Arkansas after playing last season at Salt Lake Community College. He led a defense that that went 14-2-1 last season, holding teams to fewer than one goal per game, allowing just 12 in 16 matches.

 
The additions bring a collection of talents to Conway that should provide a combination of youth and experience that should keep the Bears in contention for a third appearance in the ASUN Championship Finals.